I work in a mens prison AMA

[CrispAura]

Send me a question, and I will try to answer as honestly as possible

Likewise. I'm hoping it isn't thinly veiled misogyny, men are misunderstood and victims of their upbringing so ok to work with, women can only be mad or bad. No mad or bad chaps?

I’d be interested in your opinion of OMU? I am a POM and often feel that prison officers don’t understand what OMU do and the prisoners complain about us (occasionally with good reason but mostly unfair!) and so officers a skewed view of what we do?

It's in no way veiled.

FFS, some women are shit and are slags.
It's OK to say that - women don't have to big up women all the time 🤷‍♀️

I'm not, "bigging them up". I fully accept that there are criminal women. Of course there are, it stands to reason. It's the use of such vile misogynistic language that's so problematic.

I looked this up, so for the benefit of fellow ignoramuses - Offender Management Unit. Supposed to manage prisoner compliance with sentencing conditions and, on release, probation support.

Sounds like one of the many services that should make prison more of a constructive experience but are underfunded, neglected and sad?

Have you ever worked with a prison officer who had a relationship with a prisoner or a baby with a prisoner. There seems to be a lot of them:-

Morgan Farr Varney

Kelly-Anne McDade

Corinne Redhead

Kathryn Trevor

Rachel Stanton

Lucy Thornton

Cherri-Ann Austin-Saddington

Kerri Pegg

Tracy Boateng

I feel sorry for the babies that are conceived in this way.

Any mem in prison for non payment of tv licence?

Not being goady, genuine question

Thanks, wizzywig
I had high hopes.

I just saw this - seems relevant to the thread. I think a pp might have been referring to the former governor.
www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/revealed-the-prison-chief-linked-to-organised-crime-gqzvqsqn0

There's always one.

Do you think the UK could ever adopt a prison model like those in the Nordic countries like Finland that seem to be very successful in rehabilitation

So do they not interview people any more? I mean, good luck trying to explain how the way someone looks is why you won't hire them, but if this really is the case, surely the manager who picks them is at fault?

Not my thread, but I did law and we looked at British Vs USA Vs Nordic models and I distinctly remember the lecturer saying the Nordic model would never work here, we don't have enough of the concept of personal responsibility, many prisoners blame their wrongdoings on others and also apparently the Nordic region are much more respectful of authority in general, so see the prison staff as rehabilitative figures. The prisons there look lovely, more like nice houses with cosy fires and very hygge-esque!

For custodial sentences, the overall numbers are now so small (fewer than 5 people a year) that demographic data like sex, age, geographic location etc is no longer published because it’s potentially identifying - hence “people.” Between 1994 - 2018 the number of men who received custodial sentences was double that of women - 1,449. More women overall are prosecuted for non-payment than men, though this is broadly in proportion with the higher proportion of households solely led by a female householder.

In some cases , do you think Drug rehab would be better for some prisoners instead of being sent to prison ?

If ever there was an argument for therapy and learning basic ethics from a young age this is it. If we could get back to the 90's where people actually got mental health care we might be able to get these people to reflect about choices before they turned to crime.

Have to this I’m afraid - what awful teaching!

Not all the Nordic prisons have the same system. Overall though, Nordic prisons do look very different (not hygge though!) because they’re founded on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

It’s not that Nordic prisoners are magically “more responsible” or “more respectful” — trust in staff comes from how the system is designed and the wider social safety net. Saying the model “would never work here” is more about political choices and investment than culture.

Officers are trained like social workers - not for 10 weeks like here - prisons are designed to feel normal, and Nordic countries invest in housing, education and addiction services so people have stability when they leave. That’s why there’s less crime in the first place and why reoffending is lower. They also don’t stigmatise people on release in the same way - in England you can be asked about a criminal record for jobs, housing, college or university, insurance. And be turned down for them all on that basis. Most European countries have a more proportionate approach.

I have been into a prison and sing Christmas carols in the multi faith centre. It was very moving.

Many of the attendees struggled with literacy. One of the inmates was part of a scheme to teach others to read and write.

Bear in mind nearly all children go to state run nursery from the age of 1 in Nordic countries,where they stay until entering school, so children are on a much more level footing from a much younger age, receiving very similar education. That was the intended role of Sure Start, to give disadvantaged children a better start. Funding has been massively cut though.

Admittedly it was a very short module, but one that stuck with me. He said that the differing political and cultural values play a big role, it's not as simple as having nicer conditions in prisons.

I've worked in a Swedish low security men's prison - about 15 years ago, granted (btw, wow time flies). I can confirm that it is definitely not cozy - but sure, they work hard to maintain the principle that the locking away is the punishment, you don't have to make things extra super shitty. Happy to answer any questions that don't derail the thread.

Thankyou

Is it a one stage interview and is there a panel? When recruited who manages / supervises them? I think some of the new recruits are vulnerable themselves and some are just plain stupid. No normal person would start a relationship with a prisoner guilty of serious offences like murder and have babies with them.

Exactly! It's very damming language!